Bob O'Brien: SOS Global Express Entertainment & Music Division

BOB O’BRIEN: SOS GLOBAL EXPRESS ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC DIVISION

After nearly three decades working in the live events industry, Bob O’Brien makes the leap from Production Manager to working with SOS Entertainment Logistics, a division of SOS Global Express. Having been in this new role for almost a year, TPi caught up with O’Brien to discuss the move…

The end of a tour always brings that inevitable question; what next? While most have their eyes set on the next tour bus, Production Manager Bob O’Brien had other ideas. Following another very successful campaign with The Script, the PM opted to hang up his touring laminate and set out on a new venture in the world of entertainment freighting.

“Over the years, I’ve worked for a variety of artists including The Script, Ellie Goulding, Franz Ferdinand, Arcade Fire and The Strokes,” said O’Brien.

After his final run with The Script, followed by a stint working as Production Manager on the Papal visit in Ireland, O’Brien knew it was time to try something else. For over 30 years, SOS Global Express has made a name for itself in the world of freighting with an enviable selection of clients in TV, music, film and sports. Across all these sectors, clients trust SOS to handle all aspects of time-sensitive freight movements with very tight control. The company has come along way since getting its break working for ABC, handling several small shipments for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary.

Based in New Bern, North Carolina, SOS has 10 locations across the State, with a further three international offices in London, Hamburg and Moscow. With over 200 staff from logistics specialists to sales staff, the company prides itself in being able to offer a true 24/7 service year round.

Over the years, SOS has diligently developed its entertainment arm of the business and most recently has formed a business partnership with entertainment and touring specialists Horizon Entertainment Cargo, led by music touring veteran Phil McDonnell. The appointment of O’Brien to head up this partnership is yet another piece in this expansion.

“Over the past 15 years, I have seen first hand the amount of touring that every band has to undertake in order to guarantee various levels of revenue,” commented O’Brien, reflecting on his personal experiences from life on the road. “There are so many shows in place for 2020 and as a result, bands and suppliers are under more pressure than ever before with schedules and moving equipment and productions around the globe – in most caseswith little or no time in between shows.

“I’ve always been interested in the logistic side of touring and the time-sensitive schedules,” he continued, explaining why he wanted to enter the field. “With my background in touring and live shows I have a solid base in understanding when a schedule will pose issues with-time sensitive logistics and how to come up with solutions. I’m more than familiar with the usual routes tours often take, so it seemed like a natural fit to come aboard.”

In fact, it seems that more people in O’Brien’s position would consider a move into logistics. He furthered: “I haven’t met anyone who has gone this route as previous touring guy to working in freighting. Personally, it seemed like a natural transition. It’s also a nice change of pace. When you’re in the throws of a tour you get stuck in a little bubble, but since joining SOS Entertainment Logistics, I’m in contact with far more people from the industry.”

Upon joining SOS, O’Brien was tasked with overseeing existing tours and also the advanced planning stages of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

“Over the past 15 years, I have seen first hand the amount of touring that every band has to undertake in order to guarantee various levels of revenue. There are so many shows in place for 2020 and, as a result, bands and suppliers are under more pressure than ever before, with schedules and moving equipment and productions around the globe – in most cases with little or no time in between shows.”

“Despite the usual challenge involved in an event with various locations throughout Japan, SOS is well versed to deal with such issues having worked in the region for over 30 years.”

After almost a year working with SOS, O’Brien reflected on some of the biggest challenges he had come across since joining the transport side of the touring industry.

“It’s been a re-introduction to seeing how various airlines prioritise one shipment over another at short notice. It has always been a concern when moving any tourrelated gear throughout the world,” he continued.

“Now I see that, at first hand and in a very short space of time, I have to make sure I know where every piece of equipment is from the moment it leaves it’s origin to when it arrives.”

SOS Entertainment Logistics’ arm of the business has already had a busy 2019, having worked with acts including The Strokes on their latest tour. “We have various standing contracts with PRG across the touring side of things alongside handling all logistics with the band, Picture This,” commented O’Brien.

While working on building its client base, SOS is also rebranding, complete with a new website in an attempt to help open up the business to new potential customers. “SOS knows that in the live touring industry, there are long-standing loyalties that various vendors and bands have with their support companies,” concluded O’Brien. “All we are doing is letting people know we are there and that we offer a first-rate logistics network with over 30 years of experience!”

TPi

Photos: SOS Global Express

www.sosglobal.com